Do You Wear Makeup? THIS Is What Happens To Your Body When You Stop Using Cosmetics

 Over at UC Berkeley, including Clinica de Salud del Valle Salinas, a new study compiled by researchers have shown what happens to a persons body after they have quit using various cosmetic products, shampoos, as well as other various personal care products, can give a person to a tremendous drop in the levels of hormone-disrupting chemicals that are within their body.

The results that were gathered from the study were released in the journalEnvironmental Health Perspectives, showing that they had given 100 Latina teenagers a variety of personal care items that were already labeled to be free of any common chemicals that include pthalates, oxybenzone, triclosan, and parabens. You can find all of these toxic chemicals regularly in your everyday cosmetics, conditioner, shampoo, soaps, sunscreen, and a lot of other hair products.

 Another persuading factor are the horrible animal testing that states these products can directly interfere with a persons endocrine system. The lead researcher of the study, Kim Harley, associate director of the UC Berkeley Center for Environmental Research and Children’s Health, stated this in concern of the issue:

“Because women are the primary consumers of many personal care products, they may be disproportionately exposed to these chemicals. Teen girls may be at particular risk since it’s a time of rapid reproductive development, and research has suggested that they use more personal care products per day than the average adult woman.”

The results of the study were amazing. Only having a three-day trial, the teenage girls that used the lower-chemical induced products had shown a significant drop in the levels of chemicals within their body, tested through urine samples. To be a little more thorough as to what this means, both triclosan and bezophenone-3 had fallen 36 percent, metabolites of diethyl pthalate, found in perfumes, had dropped by 27 percent, methyl and propyl parabens, common preservatives found in cosmetics, had dropped by 44 and 45 percent.

Kimberly Parra, co-director to the study, stated this in concern of teenagers participating in this study and for future reference:

The results of the study are particularly interesting on a scientific level, but the fact that high school students led the study set a new path to engaging youth to learn about science and how it can be used to improve the health of their communities. After learning of the results, the youth took it upon themselves to educate friends and community members, and presented their cause to legislatures in Sacramento.

11 Things You Should Remind Yourself Daily

Here are 11 things you should remind yourself daily, things that will most probably bring more sunshine into your life and more peace into your heart:

1. This moment is your life.

Today, here and now, is where your life is. This moment is your life. And if you make a choice to immerse yourself fully into this moment – appreciating, enjoying and loving what is you will experience joy that you have never experienced before, and you will feel more alive than you have ever felt.

“Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life.” ~ Omar Khayyam

2. There is a time for everything.

There is a time for being alone and a time for being surrounded by the people you love; a time for joy and a time for sorrow; a time for being vigorous, and a time for being exhausted; a time for being safe, and a time for being in danger…  “A time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to tear down and a time to build,  a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak.” ~ Ecclesiastes 3:2-7.

There is a time for everything, and the more we learn to accept and embrace this truth, the more peace we will feel in our hearts and the easier it will become for us to deal with life’s many changes and challenges.

3. Each day is a new beginning, each morning is a new life.

The beautiful thing about life is that each morning it gives you a new chance, a new opportunity to start all over. To let go of your yesterdays and make a fresh new start in life. That’s how generous life is…

“Finish every day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities, no doubt crept in. Forget them as soon as you can, tomorrow is a new day.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

4. Nothing in life is yours to keep.

Everything in life is fleeting and impermanent. Everything changes, nothing ever stays the same, and even though we like to hold on to things, to own and possess as many things as possible, the truth of the matter is that nothing is ours to keep. When the time comes for us to leave this physical world, we take nothing with us. We leave everything behind us, including our own bodies.

“You only lose what you cling to.” ~ Buddha

5. You are never given more than you can handle.

Adversity builds character, strength and maturity. Every experience, every interaction, no matter how bad it might seem, has the ability to shape you, to mold you, and to help you become the person you were born to be. And if life gives you “a lot” to deal with, it is only because it knows how powerful you truly are, and it wants you to discover the courage, the wisdom and the strength that lie deep within you.

6. You were born with wings. Learn to use them and fly!

There is so much strength, so much beauty, so much wisdom and so much power within you. Always has been and always will be. And if you dare to believe in yourself as much as you would want others to believe in you, and if you dare to dream and live your life as if there were no limits to what you could do, be and have, then in time, you will discover that, “You were born with potential. You were born with goodness and trust. You were born with ideals and dreams. You were born with greatness. You were born with wings. You are not meant for crawling, so don’t. You have wings. Learn to use them and fly.” ~ Rumi

7. What other people think of you is none of your business.

Lao Tzu said it best in the Tao Te Ching:”Care about people’s approval and you will be their prisoner.” Worrying about what other people think of you and adjusting your life based on their opinions is a recipe for stress, unhappiness, confusion and misery. Always remember that your life is yours to live, and you should live it your way without being too concerned with what “they” think.

8. Never neglect your path for another.

You have your own path to walk upon, your unique purpose to fulfill, and no matter how tempting it might be to put your life on hold just because those around you are asking for it, you should never do it. The relationship you have with your own soul, with your life purpose and with your path in life is the most important relationship in your life. This is a sacred relationship, and you should treat it as such.

“You are the source of all purity and impurity. No one purifies another. Never neglect your work for another’s, however great his need. Your work is to discover your work and then with all your heart to give yourself to it.” ~Dhammapada

9. It is better to be alone than in bad company.

Surround yourself with wise, kind and loving people; people who live in truth and integrity. And “If for company you cannot find a wise and prudent friend who leads a good life, then, like a king who leaves behind a conquered kingdom, or like a lone elephant in the elephant forest, you should go your way alone.” ~ Dhammapada

10. You are a human being, not a human doing.

You are a human being, not a human doing and you need to make sure that you don’t allow your ego to trick you into thinking that who you are is not enough and that in order for you to “become somebody,” in order for you to prove your worth, you have TO DO more and more each day. There’s nothing wrong in doing things, nothing wrong with working and creating all kinds of wonderful things, but when you begin to equate your self worth with how much you do, with how hard you work and how good you are at doing the things you do, then things might get out of balance.

“I am a human being, not a human doing. Don’t equate your self-worth with how well you do things in life. You aren’t what you do. If you are what you do, then when you don’t…you aren’t.” – Dr. Wayne Dyer

11. Who you are is enough.

Who you are is already enough, not because of how your life looks externally, but because of who you are internally. So don’t you even dare, not even for a second, to think otherwise.

“You alone are enough. You have nothing to prove to anybody.” ~ Maya Angelou

5 Life-Changing Principles Of Buddhism

 Buddhism Works

For people who have been raised in religions other than Buddhism, you’ll know that once you adopt this way of life, everything changes.

Simply put, you can expect to experience a transformation – an authentic one, from the inside out.

1. Wake up

Probably the most powerful point on this list includes waking up to the fact that it is vital to be aware of every moment.

This is point that must be emphasized, even if it is one that’s oft-repeated.

One thing is for sure: it will change every aspect of your Life. Once you are awake for every moment and overcome your greatest challenges, this will give you a great sense of joy and fulfillment.

2. Living with Compassion

This quality is revered in Buddhism as it points to a highly realized human being.  Not only does it help the world at large but it is most definitely the right thing to do. When you show compassion to others, your life will change too.

But more than that: you will find peace within yourself.

No matter what, it will help you look for the goodness in people…even if they’re guilty.

3. Connect with People

In Buddhism, a ‘sangha’ is actually a community of practitioners.

In other words, it’s a community of monks, nuns, and laymen who practice Buddhism in order to realize ‘greater awakening’ for themselves as well as all other human beings.

While people do come together in groups, it’s usually to acquire money or power- but not necessarily toward goals such as happiness, peace, and greater wisdom.

Associating with a sangha with strengthen your virtues and help you let go of negative habits.

4. Understand Death

Western society not only avoids this topic, but goes to the extent of pretending that it doesn’t exist.

Yet acknowledging and understanding our impermanence is the only way to make peace with ourselves.

Quite intriguingly, Buddhist students are actually required to “meditate on the image of a corpse”. It goes without saying that a true appreciation for Life cannot be found if you don’t understand your own impermanence.

5. Comprehend the Nature of Giving

This is not just about birthday or Christmas gifts, but making giving a daily habit. Buddhists usually consider Life to be a play between taking and giving.

In understanding this, we will not only experience greater peace but also realize the gifts that we have such as love, compassion, and our presence.

We can positively impact the lives of everyone around us.

6 Best Benefits of Meditation That Will Make You Meditate Daily

 We all know meditating is good. But do we know exactly what benefits meditating would bring about to our day to day life?

Meditating benefits are two fold. Some of them are direct while others are indirect. You will have these benefits if you meditate more frequently and for a short period that stressing for hours if you are a beginner. Lets get in to the roll then,

1. Boosting your immune system

Meditating makes you feel relaxed and it does truly relaxes your body. And this relaxations bring about a few indirect benefits. One such benefit is a stronger immune system. Stress and anxiety wreak havoc with our immune system, leaving us susceptible to all kinds illnesses, particularly during the winter. Regular meditation reduces the levels of stress-related chemicals in our body, and also leaves us less likely to turn to unhealthy coping strategies to deal with the stress.

2. Improves fertility

Stress can also affect our fertility. Besides, you might have seen many cases of babies dying before they even see the light of this world because of their mother’s stressful conditions. Doctors always advice mothers to be relax and not to be stress when they are pregnant. According to WebMD, scientists aren’t sure of the exact link between stress and fertility issues, however, test subjects that took part in stress-reduction techniques were more likely to get pregnant.

3. It improves stress-related conditions

Stress can cause heart disease to auto-immune conditions such as IBS. Meditation alone cannot help cure any of these. However, good food coupled with a relaxed mind can definitely help cure/prevention process. Mind and body is deeply connected resulting the status of our mind to determine the status of our health.

4. It improves self-confidence

Meditation increases self acceptance. It also works to build our self-esteem. When we meditate we deal with our negative thoughts about ourselves. It helps us deal with same condition outside of meditation too.

5. It improves your relationships

Meditation help improve our relationships in 2 ways: Firstly allowing us with time to reconnect with our relatives. The more relaxed, grounded and self-accepting we are, the more we are able to be our best selves with other people.

Secondly, meditation helps develop our awareness around our relationships and start noticing thoughts and feelings about ourselves helping us deal with them better.

6. Pain Relief

Meditation can help you relieve pain. 2011 MIT study showed that meditation might be effective for pain relief.

In the study, subjects trained themselves to focus on physical sensations from certain parts of their bodies, leading researchers to believe that people who suffer from chronic conditions could be able to train themselves to “turn down the volume” on pain

The 38 Factors of Auspiciousness In Buddhism (The Maha-Mangala Sutta)

The Mangala Sutta is one of the most widely known of the Buddha’s discourses. The term“Mangala” means something good or auspiciousness, or lucky, or a good sign or omen. The Mangala Sutta is included in the Khuddakapatha, the first book of the Khuddaka Nikaya. How this Sutta came to be delivered by the Buddha is mentioned in the Sutta itself. For twelve years, devas and men, wishing to have happiness and well-being, pondered over the question of what constituted a “Mangala” or auspiciousness. In those days, people were steeped in superstition and their actions were mostly guided by certain signs and omens which they considered to be auspiciousness. There were differences of opinion and they could not get a consensus among themselves in deciding what exactly was a “Mangala”.Subsequently the Buddha, greater than all devas andmen, was approached and requested to resolve the problem. He has taught things auspicious which destroy all evils, which are for good of the whole world. The Mangala Sutta is also one of the first lessons every Buddhist child has to learn either at home or at the monastic school.

The Brief Meanings of the 38 Factors of Auspiciousness

1-Not to associate with the foolish.

2-To associate only with the wise.

3-To honour those who are worthy of the honour.

4-To dwell in a suitable locality. To live in a suitable place.

5-To have done meritorious/good deeds in the past.

6-To set oneself in the right course.

7-To have a wide, general knowledge in mundane and supra-mundane levels. To have vast learning.

8-Being skilful in the technology and handicrafts. To be skilful in arts and science.

9-Learning and abiding by the rules of conduct and disciplines laid down by the Buddha for lay devotees and monks. To be learned in the moral discipline.

10-Speaking what is true, pleasant and beneficial to others. To speak good words.

11-To attend closely to one’s parents. To support parents.

12-To take care of one’s wife and children. To provide for wife and children.

13-To perform a faultless work at a proper time. To be engaged in peaceful occupations.

14-Performing acts of charity. To be generous in alms-giving.

15-To live righteously performing the ten kinds of meritorious deeds. To be righteous in pure conduct.

16-To support one’s paternal and maternal relatives with food, money, encouraging words and good advice. To help one’s relatives.

17-To perform a blameless action. To be blameless in actions.

18-To resolve mentally to refrain from all evils. To abstain from bodily misdeed and evil speech.

19-To refrain from committing three bodily and four verbal evil deeds. To refrain from evil thoughts.

20-To abstain, refrain from any intoxicating drinks and drugs.

21-To be steadfast in moral virtue. Not to be negligent in doing good deeds. To keep the moral precepts. To practise meditation.

22-To pay respect to those who are worth of honour, reverence.

23-To be humble and modest without pride and conceit. To be humble.

24-To be contented with whatever one possesses presently.

25-To acknowledge others and repay one’s debt of gratitude.

26-To frequently listen to the Dhamma.

27-To forgive the insult caused by others and be patient without bearing a grudge.

28-To obey readily the advice given by elders and learned persons. To be obedient.

29-To see noble persons who have purified or are trying to purify their minds from all defilements. To see holy monks.

30-Discussion of the Dhamma with learned persons at the proper time can lead one to prosperity in the present as well as in the future. To holy religious discussions on the proper occasions.

31-To practise austerity by controlling one’s sense faculties in order to scorch all defilements. To possess self-restraint.

32-To undertake the noble practice such as observing the precepts and developing concentration and insight knowledge in order to realize the Four Noble Truths. To lead a holy and chaste life.

33-To have perception of the Four Noble Truths.

34-To realize Nibbana and enjoy the highest bliss.

35-To stand steadfastly with an unshaken mind when one is confronted with the ups and downs of life worldly conditions. To be unruffled by the weal and woe of life.

36-To be free from all worries. To be released from sorrow.

37-To have a mind free from the dust of all defilements such as greed, hatred, ignorance. To be cleaned from impurities.

38-To possess a peaceful mind free from all dangers of defilements. To attain absolute security.

These 4 Types Of Friends Are Recommended By Buddha

The Buddha spoke of great things during his time on earth, and created many suttas for mankind to learn from.

His sutra’s had many pearls of wisdom for man to absorb; they even still apply today.

His suttas taught compassion to all, regardless of negative actions towards us.

These 4 Types of Friends:

Interestingly, Buddha also gave advice for different types of people that we meet in life.

He was especially interested in the friendships we make, because those form our environment and influence us.

He described 4 different types of friends we meet and should seek: the helper, the friend who endures in good times and bad, the mentor, and the compassionate friend.

1. THE HELPER

This person can be identified by four things: protecting you when you are vulnerable, a refuge when you’re afraid, and in various tasks providing double what is requested.

One who is always there to give aid when needed, one who asks for little to nothing in return.

They will always protect you and show you the way when you are lost or need guidance.

2. THE ENDURING FRIEND

He can be identified by four things: by telling you their secrets, guarding your own secrets closely, not abandoning you in misfortune, and even dying for you.

The friend who stands by you through every event in your life, and will always there for you.

The enduring one does not pass judgment, but is simply there through it all for you.

3. THE MENTOR

Can be identified by four things: by restraining you from wrongdoing, guiding you towards good actions, telling you what you ought to know, and showing you the path to the heavens.

This type is a teacher or parent/care giver, someone who teaches through love, kindness, their own actions and compassion.

This person has the most patience with you and truly wants to set an example.

4. THE COMPASSIONATE FRIEND

Can be identified by four things: by not rejoicing in your misfortune, delighting in your good fortune, preventing others from speaking ill of you, and encouraging others who praise your good qualities.

This person showers you with love, praise and happiness regardless of times.

They are there to hold your hand and support you through everything.

They express their love for you through words, actions, and physical touch.

Do We Have A Soul? Here’s What Buddhism Says

 The Buddha taught that there is no “soul”, no essential and permanent core to a living being. Instead, that which we call a “living being”, human or otherwise, can be seen to be but a temporary coming-together of many parts and activities””when complete it is called a “living being”, but when the parts have separated and the activities have ceased it is not called a “living being” anymore. Like a computer assembled of many parts and activities, only when it is complete and performs coherent tasks is it called a “computer”, but when the computer is taken apart and the activities cease it is no longer called a “computer”. No essential and permanent core can be found which we can truly call the “com-pu-ter”, and just so no essential and permanent core can be found in a living being which we can call the “soul”.

Similarly, human beings are composed of mind and matter. Matter, or our physical bodies, are comprised of solids, liquids and gas. It is a very complex structure developed over a long process of evolution but is by no means perfect as it is subject to aging; it is fragile and is subject to all kinds of diseases and illnesses. The Buddha taught that our mind is also comprised of several components such as consciousness, memory, feelings and mental constructs. However, when all these are working together we think that we exist separately and independently in the same way we viewed the computer above. This gives rise to the illusion of a “soul” which manifests as the “ego”. All of mankind is deluded by this illusion within us. This is a unique insight taught by the Buddha and its understanding frees us from the selfish, self-centered demands issued by our ego.

 Indeed, the illusion of a “soul” is said by the Buddha to be the root cause of all human suffering. The natural, unstoppable function of the ego is to control. Big egos want to control the world, average egos try to control their immediate surroundings of home, family and work place, and all egos strive to control what they take to be their own body and mind. Such control manifests as desire and aversion, and it results in a lack of both inner peace and outer harmony. It is this ego that seeks to acquire possessions, manipulate others and exploit the environment. Its aim is its own happiness but it invariably produces suffering. It craves for satisfaction but experiences discontent. Such deep-rooted suffering cannot come to an end until one sees, through insight based on deep and powerful meditation, that the idea of “me and mine” is no more than a mirage.

Even though many religions speak of a permanent unchanging soul, giving the matter deeper thought will indicate that this theory is highly unlikely. What can the soul be made of? If the so-called soul is able to enjoy the pleasures of the senses in a heaven, then it’ll be required to be made of some form of matter. And we know that matter can be destroyed, one way or another. If the soul is not matter but some form of energy, then again it can be captured and manipulated. In any case, there has not been a shred of evidence of such a thing as a soul.

Yet rebirth still occurs without a “soul”. Consider this simile: on a Buddhist shrine a candle is burnt low and is about to go out. A monk takes a new candle and lights it from the old one. The old candle goes out but the new candle burns bright. What went across from the old candle to the new? There was a cause and an effect, a link but no “thing” went across! In the same way, there was a causal link between your previous life and your present life, but no “soul” went across. If you wish to understand further the phenomenon of Rebirth, go here.